"This Little Bronze Button" by A.W.L. (1929)

This Little Bronze Button.

BY A. W. L.

This dear little button, I love it so well—

        From the breast of my grandfather's coat!

He gave it to me when he bade us farewell

        On that day that is now far remote:

This dear little button, this little bronze button,

This time-honored button that I love so well!

I'll treasure it, aye, with a passion sincere—

        With devotion that, aye, will endure

For grandpa, whose mem'ry I'll ever revere:

        He asked me to keep it secure—

This dear little button, this little bronze button,

This time-honored button that I love so well!

This dear little button will ever abide

        Mid the treasures that I hold most dear—

Recalling my grief when my grandfather died

        And left me disconsolate here:

This dear little button, this little bronze button,

This time-honored button that I love so well!

I'm wearing it now as they pass on their way,

        These comrades he ever held dear,

To the hillcrest where yearly their tribute they pay,

        Tho' feeble and worn they appear:

This dear little button, this little bronze button,

This time-honored button that I love so well!

To those who are gone, or must soon pass away

        To the vast bivouac of the dead,

Pay homage, I pray, henceforth and for aye,

        Till the glory of valor hath fled!

This dear little button, this little bronze button,

This time-honored button that I love so well!

        Troy, N.Y.

Troy Times. May 29, 1929: 20 col 2.